Thursday, May 5, 2011

Anja Harteros sings Strauss' Vier Letzte Lieder - Best performance on youtube in modern days

After having listened to so many performances on youtube I was stunned when I came upon this one by Anja Harteros. I have never seen such a sincere and beautiful performance. From the sound and interpretation to her facial expressions. I just adore these. Hopefully I can see her live soon (in Munich in the summer).

7 comments:

thanks. I am glad I discovered her. When she won the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition she sang "Sempre Libera" and "Come scoglio". Incredible performance :) People who know her personally say she is such a kind, humble spirit.

Beautiful voice, technically 'perfect' I presume. The only little flaw I could think of was at 3:31 in the second clip. It could be a flaw in my ear, of course. Probably not in the headphones, being Sennheiser HD-800. But, unlike Sandra, I don't think the voice is particularly warm. We could have a different definition of warm, of course. She sounds fantastic, no doubt about it, but it's not the kind of voice to listen to 'Beim Schlafengehen', to fall asleep with. Also would be kind of disrespectful, I think. She deserves to be listened to somewhat longer, to make a final judgment. For now, I would say: certainly impressive.

Thanks for commenting. I agree with sandra that the voice is warm, but it's hard to discern whether the quality comes from the voice itself or the intelligence and feeling behind it. Your ears heard right in that line on "Augen". It is, not doubt, the most difficult in the entire 4 pieces (believe it or not!).

Then I guess it's warm, after all :). Speaking of "Es gibt ein Reich", I remember Eva-Maria singing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsnOEapuuJs I don't know if her voice suits Strauss in the same way as Anja Harteros (don't think so), but I think she did well.

If you are interested in my opinion to the above link I must say that I don't like it that much. The reason is that in this aria the key changes every few bars (evidence for if a singer understands this is the way she sings "Stille Höhle wird mein Grab") and therefore the color and intention of the voice must too go through all the different stages to end in the finale of the prospect of salvation through Hermes (messenger of God/guide of the dead). "Du nimm es von mir (dies lastende Leben)".Also, the breath should be worked out much more intentionally (respecting the text). If E.M.W. likes Strauss, then she will for sure mature into it. Hearing her Minnie I'm convinced she has the voice for it. One needs a great Strauss fanatic coach I think in order to get him down. Listen to Jessye Norman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H9LTixHHug Although I don't agree with her slowing down the tempo I adore this performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj-o7TbGCek&feature=relatedThe above link is the Ariadne rehearsal at the MET. If you skip to 9:30 you will hear what I mean. Listen to the last line "Bei dir wird Ariadne sein". I think it is unsurpassed.Too bad she didn't get it like that in the live performance.

about moi

opera singer with interest in exciting music, pop culture, and the mesh of it all. The collection of these videos took me months to find. Some things I come across by chance, but most I find out of study purposes and curiosity as to how careers in opera and performing art are made. I'm interested in personalities and people who really have the gift of communication. It helps if the instrument is adequate. I find these inspiring and hope some of these performances will inspire you.